Promotion of disadvantaged youth pays off: Abdulrahman Albuni becomes computer scientist

“I was very impressed with Abdulrahman,” says Domenic Kissling (27) during the tour. He was Albuni’s training supervisor for six months. Albuni performs well and is praised and valued by his training colleagues. This was made possible, among other things, by targeted support in high school.

Good grades thanks to make-up lessons

Abdulrahman Albuni was part of the “Chagall” funding program of the Allianz Chance+ institution at the district school in Baden AG for two and a half years. Funded mainly by foundations, the organization administers such programs in numerous German-speaking schools in Switzerland. Goal: To remove structural barriers to young people from low-income families or who do not speak enough German.

“I learned 70 percent of the skills needed to get good grades in make-up classes,” Albuni says. “Even if it’s only two hours a week.” Before that, he had to translate German texts into Arabic using a computer program to truly understand them. Today, but four years later, it is okay to neither understand what you read nor write.

A computer scientist, Albuni works in an industry looking for skilled workers. The second largest worker shortage in Switzerland after the health professions is in the IT sector. Professional associations from all fields regularly warn of staff shortages – recently, for example, the master builders’ association.

According to a study by consulting firm Oliver Wyman, there will be a shortage of more than 300,000 skilled workers by 2035. Much of this can be assimilated by promoting socially disadvantaged abilities. Failure to do so costs the Swiss economy 29 billion francs and 14,000 young professionals each year.

“The numbers show for the first time that this is not just about a few young people. “It has a huge impact on our economy,” says Jürg Schoch (67), President of Allianz Chance+. “I always say: in Switzerland we have four horses in the stable and only three in the front of the wagon.” The starting point should be where the choice is made: for example, in sixth grade or at the end of secondary school.

Major barriers for disadvantaged youth

“It’s nice to turn your hobby into a business,” says Albuni. He got his first computer at the age of five and it fascinated him. Six years later, he and his family had to flee to Europe by sea. He came to Switzerland and lived in various refugee homes for a year. He signed up after that. He was first in the fourth grade, and a semester later he was already in the fifth grade. A year later he was allowed to attend the district school. It was only there that he learned that his admiration for computer science could be lived in at work.

That Albuni found her dream job is not to be underestimated: According to one survey, one-third of young people in the bottom 50 percent of respondents based on their social background said they had a hard time choosing. they lack the right business role models, they feel that they do not get enough support despite performing well. They also find it difficult to finance their education.

“Foreign-speaking youth have a much lower chance of attaining a higher level of education,” says Schoch. Intelligence and effective performance are only secondary. “Many immigrants can catch up en masse within a few years. But in Switzerland, for example, if they start school in the fifth grade, they don’t have a chance in many cantons.” Research shows that cantons that conduct their secondary education at less and less strictly segregated levels have greater equality of opportunity.

Albuni is also aware of the obstacles. “I had to walk the road alone,” he says. His family could not support him, so they had to go to language courses first. Therefore, he is grateful that “Chagall” supports him. However, it is difficult to say whether it will be in a different place without support. Because his brothers Mohamad (21) and Nouralden (17) followed a path similar to his – without taking any make-up lessons. Mohamad will complete his polymechanics apprenticeship in the summer and will later apprentice with Noural as an electronics technician. Technical affairs seem like family affairs.

However, his brothers would also inherit their father Maher’s mathematical talent. “I’ve never been good at math either,” says Albuni. She looks more like her mother Ghadir. Languages ​​are more important to him. While saying goodbye, he announced that he will be going to Malta for two weeks tomorrow. Purpose: English language certificate.